Disclaimer: My experience with this Steam release has been strictly on Steam Deck. I own all of these games on Epic Games, and the Steam releases are far superior in my lengthy experience. Due to the Steam Review Character limit, I posted the full review on Reddit for anyone interested: https://www.reddit.com/r/KingdomHearts/comments/1ewz9l3/my_review_of_the_steam_release_of_kh_1525_remix/

Onto the review!

/ 1. Quick Introduction & Summary:

KINGDOM HEARTS -HD 1.5+2.5 ReMIX- is an exceptionally unique entry in the space of video games by JRPG gargantuan Square Enix, partnered with Disney. Somehow by sheer tremendous happenstance, we are met with a franchise that currently extends its lively arms into its 2nd decade - complemented by the fierceness of some of the most competent and well rounded, exciting, and interesting game design choices and innovations built on the hack and slash & JRPG genres - especially when considered in light of the fact that these are all PS2/PSP generation titles. The level of polish, ingenuity, flare, and creativity present in these releases despite their age, the cascade of release windows, all existing on extremely dated and limited hardware - is something I'm not sure I will ever fully comprehend or fully appreciate - especially as someone that had the privilege to own some of these on the original console as a child. This series deserves its place in gaming history as one of the best franchises to ever grace the PlayStation 2/PSP - its production value, tie-ins, variety, charm, and mystique - this is one of the most 'bang-for-your-buck' collections that exists in gaming, provided you appreciate the genre and what it offers as a franchise.

// 2. What's Included - & What to Look Out For

In this collection, you receive 4 games, and two cut-scene movies (which, arguably, are deserving of their own game releases, alas, we don't have any indication of these happening aside from fan-made projects/recreations).

1. Kingdom Hearts I: Final Mix

The very first entry, and a monumentous, genre-defining, although at times clunky and frustrating experience, at that. A version of the title originally only available in Japanese, for the PS2. A more in-depth and flavoursome endeavour, essentially an incremental DLC-esque variant, built upon the original Kingdom Hearts I experience. Enemies receive cosmetic reskins, item crafting receives an overhaul and many unique mini-game-esque encounters are introduced (necessary to complete the game 100%). A (new for the time) superboss, as well as some QoL and bug fixes not present in the originals, and more.

/ Unique Features: The first of many. The most 'simple' and accessible of the series, particularly in relation to its story. Man, does this series get complicated, and confusing. My personal favourite for its innocence, and how it stands in its own right as a very capable and well-defined, easy to pick up, hard to master combat system. The skill ceiling is tremendous in this game, as well as the others. Essentially every boss in this game can be beaten on hardest difficulty (Proud, Level 1/Zero Experience gain) with no damage. A mark of exceptional combat & boss design in my eyes. This also applies to Kingdom Hearts II: FM.

2. Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories

A title adapted originally from the GameBoy Advance, into the style a la Kingdom Hearts 1 (also a re-release available originally on PS2). Re:COM is the conversion of a fairly limited 2D/isometric game, utilising an (admittedly difficult, intimidating, and at times very cumbersome) card/deck-building system. The first of several entries in the franchise to explore the idea of such a system (or variants of) in the real-time combat space. This never received a 'Final Mix', as you could argue the release itself is the 'definitive' mix of this game.

// Unique Features: Unique to-this-day card & deck building gameplay, it stands in its own right in comparison to the other card-based entries of the series (at least of those I've played - Birth By Sleep, Dream Drop Distance). Functions very heavily based on numerical value of cards, and 'sleights', which are sets of 3 cards queued up and deployed at either the right (or wrong) times, for tremendous combat advantage, or failure. A unique take on what would traditionally be (maybe loosely) defined as procedural generation of the open game world, as you delve into the 'chain' of rooms forming a World floor, you get to choose the scale, intensity, and unique traits of each room based on a collection of cards you slowly accrue and learn to benefit from in your journey. To note: no 'zero experience' ability or feasible challenge mode is in this game.

3. Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days (cut-scene movie)

There's not much for me to say here personally, as I haven't played the original very much, nor do I have the concentration to fully appreciate the ways in which the content is delivered here. Better than nothing - but I do yearn for the full, updated experience, if that can ever happen. FWIW, bonus content is unlocked in Chain of Memories for 'completing' this title's entries to 100%. A delivery of HD remastered cutscenes, as well as tie-in text entries to summarise what would have otherwise been the player's actions in the original game levels.

/// Unique Features: Bonus content in the vein of 'Final Mix' additions, for Kingdom Hearts Re:Chain of Memories. New cards, particularly of Organisation XIII members, all with unique effects - that require you to traverse the game world in order to acquire.

4. Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix

The heavy-hitter of the collection for many. Where the original is an entry that dazzles for its charm, world building, intrigue and novelty, this game is the maturation of the series into a hack-and-slash & franchise tie-in monolith. Every world has its own unique expansions of existing Disney franchises (and in one case, an adaptation of the classic cartoon era). Personally, where rarely much is at fault beyond preferential quibble, aside from the rather common criticism of ordinary hallway-style level design (I don't personally feel the game struggles much here, the gameplay, encounters/bosses, and story much make up for this issue in my eyes). Though its creativity in this department is definitely lesser in comparison to the original.

//// Unique Features: Probably the most beloved, established, and well-rounded game out of all the games in the entire franchise. A metric ton of story and side content, optional bosses, optional encounters, challenges, and mini-games. Unique to this game, you double dip almost every single world, adapting the otherwise traditional Disney worlds into unique encounters and scenarios not seen anywhere else. A very generous sampling of original boss design, between the Heartless and Nobodies, Disney villains, original JRPG villains (of the Organisation XIII in particular - all with unique character traits, in personality, as well as elemental.) In my eyes, extremely creative weapon, ability, and setpiece design. Some of the most enthralling, exciting, unique and original music in the series.

KH II Final Mix introduces Critical Mode, the Zero EXP gain challenge mode run, new abilities, items, and a plethora of optional boss content - as well as new keyblades, rebalances, and some changes to various systems in the game.

Continued. via Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/KingdomHearts/comments/1ewz9l3/my_review_of_the_steam_release_of_kh_1525_remix/